Can I Be in Love With Somebody but Not Be Ready to Commit?

Being in love means something different to each person, but generally, the term refers to the feelings present in the early stage of a relationship. The feeling of being in love is often marked by excitement and newness. While these feelings of being in love can indicate a desire for a deep connection, they can also be signs of infatuation or feeling feelings based on physical attraction, explains psychologist Michelle Drew in her PsychCentral article, "Love Versus Infatuation."

Feeling and love and being ready to commit are not mutually exclusive. In other words, you can be in love but not feel ready for a commitment. For example, you may develop strong feelings for someone soon after leaving a relationship but feel like you need time to sort out your emotions before starting a new relationship. Likewise, if you are focused on school or your career, you might fall in love but might not be ready to commit because the timing is not right. Additionally, you may have apprehensions about commitment due to unresolved personal issues, such as depression, anxiety or unresolved issues from childhood, says psychologist and health and wellness professor Rick Nauer, in his PsychCentral article, "Attachment Style May Factor Into Fear of Commitment." These issues are not necessarily a reflection of your feelings for your partner, however.